Clinic: Litigation

Catalog description

In the Litigation Clinic, students learn core lawyering skills by engaging in the practice of law under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 719 with close support from faculty supervisors who are licensed attorneys. After registration, students are assigned to one of three litigation practice areas (based upon student preference and supervisor availability): Family Justice and Immigration Practice, Criminal Defense, and Civil Practice. In the Family Justice and Immigration Practice, students represent low-income parents, children, and victims of abuse in a wide variety of domestic relations, civil, and administrative matters. In Criminal Defense, students represent individuals charged with misdemeanors in Topeka Municipal Court and Shawnee County District Court. In the Civil Practice, students represent low-income clients in a variety of civil matters in state and municipal courts and before administrative agencies. In all practice areas, students have the opportunity to practice a range of skills, including interviewing, client counseling, strategic case planning, legal drafting, negotiating, and trial advocacy. Clinic students meet twice weekly for seminar, which provides background knowledge and skills necessary for success in client representation. Students also have regular supervision meetings and perform casework. Prerequisite(s): 44 hours completed, minimum 2.0 GPA, certification as a Legal Intern and successful completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, Professional Responsibility and Evidence. Students are encouraged to talk to Clinic faculty about how their course choices may impact their clinical experience. Because of potential conflicts of interest, students who are working for the Topeka City Attorney, the Shawnee County District Attorney, or clerking for a Shawnee County District Court judge or a Topeka Municipal Court judge, may not concurrently enroll in Law Clinic. Interns must pay a $50.00 fee to the Clerk of the Kansas Supreme Court for their student practice certification. Enrollment in Clinic may be limited as in any other course. Satisfies skills requirement. NOTE: Students enrolled in clinic may elect to take clinic for either a grade or credit/no credit. Students have until the end of the first week of classes to change this election. Students must NOT inform the Law Clinic faculty or staff of their choice.